Shelving construction



March 4,1958 R, D, DAHUN l2,825,470

SHELVING CONSTRUCTION Filed Junel, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY March4, 1958 R. D. DAHLIN SHELVING CONSTRUCTION v Filed June 13, 1955INVENTOR.

ROBERT D. DAHLIN ATTORNEY ilnited States Patent srmLvusG CONSTRUCTIONRobert l). Dahlin, Rockl Hill, Mo., assigner to Benchcraft, inc., St.Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application June 1 3, 19 5 5Se ralNo. 514,833

4. Cininrs- (CL 2171-136.)

This invention relates in general to storage equipment and, moreparticularly, to novel shelving construction which provides` clearancethroughout. the full extent of the shelf space. i

Heretofore, in commercialA shelving and bins there has been aninordinate amount of waste storage space resulting from the customarynature of construction. It has been the practiceA to provide T-shapedcenter posts with the leg or iiange of the T extending inwardly betweenthe ends of juxtaposed shelf sectionsand thereby restricting theover-alll shelf clearance. Such center posts are presented intransversely aligned pairs and, consequently, the maximum extent ofunrestricted shelf space will necessarily coincide withthe length of aparticular shelf section. The lack ofv economy in such an arrangementwill be readily apparent when one notes the fact ythat shelving will be,through stress of circumstances, considered from the standpoint of shelfsection rather than from the standpoint( of a Composite integrated shelfof desired length. If the particular articles and the like to be shelvedare not so dimensioned as to' allow compact storage from one end of a`shelf section to the other, or, as Ait were, from one restricting cornerpost to the next, certain storage space adjacent the end of each shelfsection will be, perforce, left vacant. Furthermore, since a distancebetween transversely aligned center posts is less than the width of theshelf sections, the intervening space is seldom amenable to usage.Depending upon the character of the merchandise or the like to bestored, the loss of effective storage space in shelving of currentconstruction has in some cases reached a heightened degree, withkexpected attendant eXpel'lSe.

storage space commensurate with the, particular requirements. lt will beseen that considerations of suchv a character will call for theprovision of adequate Warehouse space in new construction to accommodatesuch actually unneeded shelving. The unwanted cost of such additionalshelving, together with the` loss of valuable warehouse space forreceiving same, have proved-most expensive to business.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide shelvingconstruction which permits of maximum free clearance so that contiguousshelf sections, from front to back, throughout their entire combinedextent are available for storage.

it is a further object to provide shelving construction which comprisesshelving units in back-to-backarrangements, having common back panelsand being engaged to form integrated structure by unique common centerposts. l 'Y a 2,825,47 1C@ Patent-4Min. 4 lass It is a further ObjectnfV the present invention te prnvids shelving Construction having novelreinforcing means. which nbvintns. the necessity nf. sway-braces. 0rother structural support members disposed betweenshelf sections. andprovides the snnstrnctinn with rigidity and strength. i

An additional nbisct Qf. the present invention is to. Prnvids shelvingCnnstrnstinn. which may be. readily assembled in Upright Position and,disassembled without the use of skilled labor; whichl is durable andreliable in usage; and the use 0f. which. will render unnecessary theheretofore purchase of excess shelving b y industry. Y

'Ihese and other detailed objects arey obtained by the structuresillustrated inthe accnrnpanvingdrawings (twg sheets) in which-- Figure lis a perspective View of shelving constructed in accordance with andembodying: the prsssnt invsnlinn.

Figure- 2 is a horizontal. transverse sectional view tnlssn onl the line2-.2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a horizontaltransyerse sectional viewtakcn on the line 3,-3of Figure 1.

Figure` 4 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken on the. line4-.4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a horizontal transverse sectional View talen on the line 5-5of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is ahorizontal transverse sectional view-taken on the line 6-.6of Figure l.

Figure 7 is a vertical transverse sectional View talgen on the line7-.f7 of Figure l.

Figure 8 is a vertical transverse sectional viewtalsen on the line S-Sof Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a vertical transverse sectional view talgen on the line9,-9V of Figure 1,.

Figure 1,0 is a vertical transverse sectional View taken on the line10-10 of- Figure 1.

Referring nsw by Inference characters tothe drawings whichY illustrate apreferred embodiment; of the present invention. A designates shelvingconstruction. of the commercial type consisting of two like unitsindicated 1, 2 in back-to-back relationship. Since units 1, 2 aresimilarly constructed, constituent elements of only one unit will bedescribed with the understanding that the same forml parts of the other.

E ach unit comprises two inner and two outer angleshaped corner posts 3,3 respectively, a plurality offront center posts 4 presented inparallel, spaced relationship to the outer corner posts 3', and aplurality of end-,to-end shelf sections 5 to form shelves of desiredlength. Each shelf section 5, which is constructed preferably ofsuitable gauge sheet metal, is provided with depending. anges, therebeing a front ange 6, a rear flange 7, and two end anges 8, 9. The saidYflanges are formed integrally with the top of the shelf section, whichis provided adjacent its front edge with a series or a rowl of openings10, punched or otherwise formed therein for receiving bolts 11 for theretention of partitions or shelf dividers 12 at predetermined locations.

Shelf section flanges 6, 7, 8 and 9 at their` lower ends are turnedinwardlyto present a horizontal extension 6', 7', 8', and 9respectively, and are thence bent upwardly to form a lip 12', 13, 14 and15 respectively, therebyendowing said shelf sections 5 with increasedrigidity for resisting twisting or bending forces. Each ange extension6', 7', 8 and 9 is cut away at its end portions, as may best be seen inFigure 3, to renderaccessibleV the inner portions of the corners of eachshelf section 5 f or facilitating assembly. Provided for engagement tothe inner surfaces of adjacent shelf anges at each corner of each shelfsection 5, is an angle-shaped corner brace 16, the legsv 16 of which areof substantially equal length with the cut-a-way portions ofthe angeextensions, and are each' provided with YaV bolt-receiving opening .17,S18"re Vspectively, for registration with Vopenings designated gen#erally 20 at each end of Veach shelf flange.l Secured to theinnerface'of the front ange 6 of each shelf section v Y is;Va'jreinforcingV bar V21V extending.substantiallyn the fdis- ,fancebetween the alignedp'legs of adjacent cornerfbraces Y '16,fand'whri'chmay be secured in position, as. by spot welding.l' l t "As shown-inVFigures areieachV throughoutiheir length,Y provided witha plurality ofapertures 24 for extension therethrough ofrbolts bolts 25 projectthrough alignedapertures 24,` shelf flange openings120,andropenings 17,v18 of corner bracersfl. Legs22 of corner Vposts'3, 3"will be-ush ontheir innerV surface"against'the outer face ofshelf flanges 6,V 7respectively, whereas legs 23 of said corner posts 3, 3-wil1 bepresented in spaced relationship to the outer faceA of end anges 9 ofthe adjacent shelf sections 5 to permit extension therebetween of theedge Vportions of a sheetrmetal end panel 26. Said end panel 26 ingitsvertical edge portions'is punched or otherwiseV provided with a'rseriesVof openings 27 `for kreceiving bolts 25. 'With theV openings formed inthe tlanges of shelf sections 5, corner Aposts 3, 3', and end panels 26,the shelves maybe verticali;l

spaced from each other' any desired distance Vand yet'V have Ythe cornerportions thereof securely engaged to the corner posts 3, 3 and/endpanels26.' Front center posts '4' are presented for engagement to the end'portions of each two ljuxtaposed sh'e'lfpsections 5,/ andby VVtheirsuse1 and 4, corner pests; s, s', being angle-Shaped in cross section,comprise Vlegs 22, `23, which l adjacent outer face portionsV of channelwalls35,36.f Y

m Retaining boltsV 42, 43aY are presented forfextension,V Y Y 25 forengaging same to the Vcorner portions'at the outerV Y Y j end ofthe endshelfY sections 5. It will thus be seen that allow 'of theincorporation'of any numbercf shelf sections'in end-to-end relationshipto provide a horizontal storage space of desired length.l Incrossrsection4 front center posts 4 arecontourred, as by stamping, toVform planar'aligned'side flanges Vor :portions V2S, 29 andan-intc'rmediateV or central, outwardly projecting VLShYaped/i'portion 30,which provides markedrigidity Vto said center posts; 4,. therebyrendering same resistant to;applied stresses and strains. vEachfofrsaidcenter post anges728,

29 isV apertured throughout'its extent to present vertically alignedapertures'31, 32V respectively for registration with openings 20 infront flanges 6 of the associated shelf sections 5;,1Bolts 33V extend`through apertures 31,-Y 32 and tlxe` registered openings 20 oftheVrelated shelf lsec- 4tions 5, as wellV as through openings 17 of therelated Y corner bracestl', all as may best be'seen in Figure 3,- to

present arm and stable joint. l, Y, t, Y- Y' Shelf sections YSare thuspresentedin end-'tolend relationship, 4arid proximatei their Ylines ofadjacncy, on' their outwardlypresented faces, a'reengaged to" frontcenter posts4, Which thus cooperate'with corner posts 3, 3l-to lYmaintain shelf sections 5 inY integratedv relationshipff'for presentinga resultant shelfV of their combinedy lengths which may be of anyrequisite extent. VItis .to beV particularly noted that center'posts4,due to the novel configu-V ration thereotihave noportions which extend:inwardly of the forward edges 'of shelf sections 5, Vso thatino.obstruction or 'restriction ispresented within the shelfarea, with freeclearance fromj front to back throughout their united extentbeingprovided. Y Y' v' f f VFor the purpose of supporting shelf sectionstheir Yinwardly presented surfaces, aswell'asto bind units l', 2together in :an integral structure, there is'provideda pluralityY`ofsinner ,c enterposts134,A Vwhich as will now be 'shown,jare"common2toboth unitsl, 2, Vandare Veacliin transverseA alignment with a'frontcenter post 4 of Veach unitjl, 2. 2: Referring to FigureZ,V ,itV` willbe Vnoted that inne'rcenterY postsr34, are fabricated preferablyfrom apair, of elongated bars or strip *stock secured surface-wise'together,as by'weldingand contoured at'their ends,ras

at 35, 36, to form oppositelyv openings, aligned channellikerecesses 37,V38,'interconnected byrafcentralweb portion 325th@ Surface Q f whichnare Spassd inwardly f 'the Said channelwall portions 35, 36 aredrilled,V punched, or otherwise apertured from theirupperendsto a pointYspaced 'from their lower ,endsk with aligned bolt openings 40, V41respectively, the axis of said openingsY 40, 41 beingv` normal to theVvertical axis ofjchannels 37, 38.`

through openings 40, 41, of channel walls 375,; 36 for'l engaging Vsameto rear anges7 and' and the'related corner braces 16.ofradjace'ntside-by-side shelf sections'S of the'l Y'. units 1, 2; theshelf sections 5 of one unit beingrdesirablyj butV not necessarily,alignedY plana'rfwise' with theshrelfVV Vsections 5 of the other unitij'lhe, distance betweenthek shelf 'sections Stof oneunitand those Yo fthe other will be equal to thethicknessV ofthe channel-formed'ends ofinner center posts 34. Said center posts 34, in additionV toixedly's'upportingY shelf sections Soif the units 1, 2, also serve thenormal'function of center postsv by securing the adjacent end-to-endshelf sections 5 ofeachLunit 12.V For disposition Vbetweent'ne shelfsections Y5 .of onegonit 1, 2 and those'of the other arecommon backpanels 44, fabricated of sheet metal'or othersuitable material, hav# Ying a width slightlyless than the lengthsof'the shelf 'sec- Y' tions,Vwhich along their vertical side edges l,are provided with a series ofperforations or openings .'45. The said perforated edge portions of backpanels 44 arereceivedY withiuichannels 37, 38V and retained therein bysaid YVbolts '42, 43,V which `pass throughn perforations 45; Thus, in Yaddition to supporting the shelf sections 5 of unitsxl, and forming themeansv for tying units,1,12 into Van in-V tegrated structure, centerposts 34 also fserveV to Vmain-y tain commonyback panelsY 44y inposition. Itv is`to Vbe.

noted that the Athickness ofinne'r center posts ,34 ,is most; Y

limited so that thedistance' between fadjacentfshelfsections 5 of theunits 1, 2 is relativelylimited, solthatjthere Y' is no substantialwasted/space.` l

A Asrwillbe seen in'Figure 5, ther'outerend VerticalV margins of theback panels 44V at theopposite `ends of shelving constructi'on'A`arerecei'ved between-the{con fronting legs 22 jo'f .adjacent innercc'Jrner-.pos'ts fof units 1, 2, Vand are retained in such position by.vbolts .46.:

Directing Vattention now to VFigures-Tand 8,1it Ywill Vbe 'Y seen thatinner'center posts 34 Vr.ata predetermined 'point spacedlyfabove 'thelower'ends thereof Vare stamped toY presenta pair of outwardly andupwardly turned tongues Y 4.7, V which extend from channel walls"35,l36Vfor support- Y Vvingly engaging lower shelf sections '5,' adjacent theinner corners thereof.- YIt will Vthus be seen thatiin assembly of shelfconstruction A the lower shelf sections are` readily vr1 located bydispositionpupon tongues47. By suchV engager mentjthe inner center posts34 will be located with respect.: Y Y

to the shelf sectionsS so that theapplication of the corner` post 3, 3and Vfront ,centerV posts 4 can'be readily accom-f mate site and.obviate Vthe need for special equipment. Having completed theassembly'of the elements Vabove described, front and end basestrips 4S,49, respectively', Ymay be easily applied to the structure by means'V ofcon Ventional spring fasteners 50, which `extend through fthe openingsof front center posts 4 yand cornerV posts'3, 3 and registeringopenings` 51 provided at --the endsofsaidV strips 4S, 49. Frontbasestrips 43als'oare` provided'r` with an opening 52, at a pointVnterrnediateitsends andy adjacent its upper edge for alignment with anaperture 53 formed in front Vflange 6.ofeach shelf section 5; there.'V Y

eing a fastener 50,.also projectingYY through-said aligned opening 52and aperture V53. Y Front Vand end basestrips 4S, 49 are mountedoutwardly kof center posts 4, and.A

corner posts 3, 3', respectively, and are each cut away in their uppercorner portions, as at 54, to avoid interference with the lowermostretaining bolts 33, 25, as the case may be. By the unique design of saidbase strips 48, 49 the same are readily mounted from the exterior,without requiring access under the shelving to perform such operation.The appearance of shelving construction A is decoratively finished bysaid strips 48, 49 as well as the rigidity of same being materiallyenhanced thereby. ln view of the above, the present invention providesshelving construction which permits of full effective storage areathroughout the combined extent of the shelf sections 5 which are not inany way restricted by structural members, as is common with currentlyused shelving. Full front-to-back and end to end space is presented.Furthermore, shelving construction A is of marked rigidity anddurability, despite the absence of the heretofore customary sway bracesand the like, since corner braces 16 serve to effectively and reliablyrender shelf sections 5 resistant to any untoward twisting forces, andmake the over-al1 construction a most rugged and stable one.

It should be understood that changes and modifications in the formation,construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of theshelving construction may be made and substituted for these herein shownand described without departing from the nature and principle of myinvention.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is 1. Storage construction comprising first and secondshelving units, each unit having end members and at least two shelvesextending between said end members in end to end relationship, a commoncenter post being disposed between each pair of end to end shelves ofsaid first and second units and being connected thereto, said centerpost being provided with oppositely opening recesses, a back panelcommon to both of said first and second units being received in itsvertical side portions within the recesses of said center post, meansengaging said back panels to said center post, and fastening meanssecuring said back panel between end portions 0f opposed shelves of saidfirst and second units.

2. Storage construction comprising first and second juxtaposed shelvingunits for disposition in back to back relationship, each unit having endmembers and a plurality of shelves extending between said end members inend to end relationship, common center posts being disposed between theshelves of said first and second units, said center posts each havingoppositely opening channelforming portions and are in surface abutmenton their outer faces with the lateral face of the proximate shelf ofsaid first or second unit, and a back panel common to both of said firstand second units, said panel being provided along its vertical edgeportions with a plurality of apertures for registration with the alignedopenings of the center post channel walls, and fastening means extendingthrough selected ones of said openings and back panel apertures forsecuring said center posts and back panel to the confronting shelves ofsaid first and second units.

3. Storage construction comprising first and second juxtaposed shelvingunits, each unit having end members and a plurality of shelves extendingbetween said end members in end to end relationship, common center postsbeing disposed between the first and second units, each center postshaving oppositely opening channel-forming side portions, the walls ofeach channel-forming side portion being parallel throughout asubstantial part of their length for surfacewise abutment againstlateral faces of the adjacent confronting shelves of said first andsecond units, a web portion connecting said channel-forming sideportions and being disposed inwardly of the outer faces of the wallsthereof for extension across the joint line between the proximateshelves of each unit, and a back panel common to said first and secondunits and being received in its vertical edge portions within thechannel-forming side portions of adjacent center posts for dispositionbetween said first and second units.

4. Storage construction for providing maximum shelf clearance comprisingfirst and second juxtaposed shelving units, in back to back relationshipeach of said units comprising end members, a plurality of shelf sectionsin abutting end to end relation to form shelves of preselected length,each shelf section having depending lateral fianges, outer center postshaving planar-aligned side portions for surfacevn'se engagement tolateral flanges of adjacent shelf sections, an intermediate web betweenand connecting said side portions of said outer center posts and Abeingpresented outwardly of the adjacent lateral flanges of the adjacentshelf sections, common inner center posts disposed between the rst andsecond units and having for extension across the joint line of abuttingshelves of each unit oppositely opening channel-forming side portionsthe walls of which are parallel throughout a substantial part of theirtransverse extent, a web connecting said channel-forming side portionsof said common center posts, the outer faces of said webs beingpresented inwardly of the outer faces of the adjacentV walls of thechannel-forming side portions, and a common back panel having itsvertical edge portions received within the confronting channels ofadjacent common inner center parts, and fastening means for securingsaid back panel and inner center posts to confronting lateral flanges ofshelf sections of said first and -second units.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS910,473 Bales Jan. 19, 1909 917,870 Jefferis Apr. 13, 1909 966,002Fricke Apr. 2, 1910 1,126,094 Schatfert lan. 26, 1915 1,136,245 LelandApr. 20, 1915 1,141,991 Terrell June 8, 1915 1,161,792 Schaffert Nov.23, 1915 1,557,066 Medart et al. Mar. 16, 1926 1,700,549 Sprott Ian. 29,1929 1,880,179 Onions Sept. 27, 1932 2,007,354 Vass July 9, 19352,621,800 Neubauer Dec. 16, 1952

